The Health Insurance Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like losing your health insurance, you are never alone. Countless men and women have faced the exact same problem and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very resources about health insurance: Articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges that you face.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Health Insurance Guide even more helpful to survivors like you.

JUST FOUND OUT

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Health Insurance Loss

Survivors say these are the best resources for those who have just found out they've lost their health insurance -- check them out to find out more about your options.

• The Health Insurance Resource Center Perspective, education and guidance in seeking affordable health insurance for individuals and families.
• The Health Resources and Services Information This Web site from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a good outlet for finding low-cost and free healthcare providers.

The Big Picture

Losing health insurance can give you challenges both right now and in the long term. Many depend on their health insurance to meet critical needs like therapeutic services and prescription medications. Even if you're healthy now with no medical issues, there is the very real fear that you could have a major accident or develop a serious illness. Because hospital bills can quickly run into the five- and even six-figures, being uninsured could out you on the fast track to financial ruin. Many people, concerned about losing their job and their healthcare, as well as doctors tired of dealing with insurance firms, are are taking a renewed interest in a single-payer system.

• Insurance Information Institute: Health Insurance Information
• Physicians for a National Health Program
  

Your Health Insurance Loss

The sudden loss of your health insurance is a scary experience. If you see or hear warning signs such as layoffs,  company cutbacks or “internal reforms,” you may want to consider exploring other options to avoid a lapse in your health insurance. Understanding exactly what you need from health insurance as well understanding your old policy may help you find an affordable replacement.

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Health Insurance After Layoff
  
• FreeAdvice.Com: Health Insurance Q&As

Your World

Losing your health insurance can create a whirlwind of emotions and questions that you'll want to get answers for, but understanding the issue from a logical perspective will help you find a solution.

About.com - Resources, Advice and Information for the Uninsured

You also need to know your rights in regards to what you can do about the health coverage that was part of your job benefits.

YourTotalHealth.com - Lost Job & Insurance Without Warning

Health Insurance Myths

• Most uninsured people are unemployed.
• You can't keep your insurance when you lose your job.
• You can't successfully fight a claim that has been denied.
  

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors:

Survivors say these are the best guides -- check them out to find out more about your options.

• About.com: Health Insurance
• AARP: Insurance and Medicare

What Should be Done for Lost Health Insurance

When you've lost your health insurance, the one thing you'll want to focus on is being healthy. Prevention is always better than a cure, and a focused effort on eating right and exercising often may see you through a temporary lapse in coverage.

About.com: Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

One option for health insurance after a job loss is the Federally-enforced guarantee of continued health coverage known as COBRA. You are guaranteed the right to continue your former employers' group plan for up to 18 months and in many cases, your spouse and children are also eligible.

 U.S. Department of Labor: FAQs about COBRA

If losing your health care plan is going to affect your whole family, consider options available for your dependents. If you're married there may be potential options to secure coverage through your spouse. Regardless, you'll find other options for health insurance if you're willing to search.

Los Angeles Times: Health Insurance Options When You Are Unemployed

People Who Can Help After Losing Health Insurance

• The National Association for the Self-Employed If you decide to become a freelancer or contractor, regardless of whether you're looking for a full-time job, the NASE offers healthcare insurance options to its members.
• Alliance for Affordable Services The Alliance represents 100,000 small business owners and individuals nationwide, negotiating discounts for various member benefits, including healthcare plans.

Books That Survivors Found Helpful During Health Insurance

• The New Health Insurance Solution: How to Get Cheaper, Better Coverage Without a Traditional Employer Plan by Paul Zane Pilzer
• STOP Buying Health Plans and START Buying Health Insurance!: An Easy-To-Understand Guide to the How and Why of Consumer Directed Healthcare (HSAs, HRAs and Deductible-First Medical Insurance) by Jeffrey Ingalls
• The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance - and Still Get the Coverage You Need by Kimberly Lankford

Information for Co-Survivors:

How you can help

• Losing insurance may be a crisis associated with losing a job. By offering an ear to listen and acting as a sounding board, you can help the survivor answer a lot of his own questions and solve some problems.
• Begin a health regimen with the survivor, including nutrition and exercise. Encourage her to take excellent care of her health so as to avoid the potential need for health insurance for the time being.
• Help research options for affordable healthcare.

What to say

• "An affordable health careoption is out there, we just have to find it..”
• “Let's really focus on getting healthy. I'd love to be your exercise partner.”
•  “Don't panic. We will get through this.”

What not to say

•  “Wow, what if something happens to you? You'll be ruined.”
•  “Better get a new job/policy fast.”
•  “There really aren't any affordable options for you outside of an employer-based plan.”

How to Build a Support Network

• Set up your TSC Co-Survivor Profile
• Create a support group for your loved one
• Interact, provide updates and share your experience

Helping a Survivor Deal with Day-to-Day Challenges

• Work – Consider purchasing an individual healthcare plan or short-term health insurance; you can go to eHealthInsurance.com to get price quotes. If the survivor is self-employed, suggest contacting the National Association for the Self Employed, as it offers health insurance options for its members.
• School – Most colleges and universities offer insurance to enrolled students. The costs offered to educational institutions are usually at a discount and geared toward being affordable for a student budget. This is an excellent resource for parents who need to insure their children and can't get them on their plans.

You're not alone -- Millions of individuals in the United States are currently without healthcare insurance. Stay calm and logically explore your healthcare options. You probably won't need your health insurance tomorrow or the next day, but there's a good chance you will need it someday, so keep researching until you find the right plan for you.

In the meantime, state and federal government are aware of the growing problem, and President Barack Obama has stated that affordable healthcare is one of his priorities.

Blueprint for Change: Healthcare

Though there is no way to prevent certain accidents, you can certainly do your part in maintaining your optimal level of health. Avoid minor illnesses and risky health conditions as best you can by making better health part of your daily routine.

HealthAndWellness.com

Give Back

• Create a TSC Profile and begin interacting
• Share your story – Provide updates
• Become a mentor for another survivor

There is a chance that regardless of how you manage your budget to afford health insurance, it simply won't fit into your present financial picture. That prospect is bad, but bad can go to worse if you experience health problems, a major injury or an accident requiring a hospital stay.

 One consideration is to take a "hardship withdrawal" from your 401(k) plan. The IRS eases tax penalties if you can prove you're withdrawing money to pay costly medical bills.

 401kHelpCenter.com: 401k Hardship Withdrawals

See if your kids are eligible for health insurance coverage under public health programs such as Medicaid or state healthcare programs.

 HHS.gov:  State Children's Health Insurance Program

If you have exhausted all options, consider contacting charitable organizations that might take an interest in your situation.

U.S. News & World Report: Largest Charities - Healthcare Facilities and Programs